Dozens Lose Their Homes After Perry Hall Fire
PERRY HALL, Md. (WJZ) -- A fast-moving fire swept through a Perry Hall condo unit, displacing dozens of families.
Gigi Barnett explains homeowners are scrambling to get their lives back in order before the holidays.
Dramatic YouTube video was caught on tape by a neighbor at a Perry Hall condo complex on Haven Farm Court. Firefighters say shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, a fire broke out. The flames moved fast and more than 100 firefighters rushed to fight them.
"Upon their arrival, they found smoke, heavy smoke, and residents evacuating the building," said Fire Director Lynn Mullahey.
Condo owners ran for safety. Many of them are elderly.
"I think we lost everything, all of our life savings. It's terrible," said condo owner Bob Pruitt.
By mid-morning, sunlight revealed the deep damage. Firefighters say the three-alarm blaze started in the ceiling of one of the third floor units.
The effort to rebuild is underway.
"You can see they're all working really hard this morning. The main thing is to keep people out of the building so no one gets hurt," said Homeowners' Association President Kit Major.
The top floor took the brunt of the damage and now nearly 30 families are displaced. Damage is estimated to be about $1 million.
"They're a little panicky right now because they don't know where they're going to be living, they don't know where their clothes are, they don't know where their medicines are," Major said. "To keep them calm is the main thing right now."
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Firefighters say that could take days to determine.
Firefighters say all of the condo owners got out safely and most of them are now living with friends and family.
